Process and tool for eradicating termites



Dec. 4, 1934, D. AIKEN PROCESS AND TOOL FOR ERADICATING TERMITES FiledNov. 16, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet l WITIYES a 4M INZELVTOR. ,flmZeZL' A m ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 4, 1934. D.YAIKEN PROCESS AND TOOL FOR ERADICATING TERMITES 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 16, 1953 faw INVENTOR: Dan tel l A ilien ATTOEYS Dec. 4, 1934. A|KEN 1,982,975

PROCESS AND TOOL FOR ERADICATING TERMITES Filed Nov. is, 1953 4Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 7

7 i Q a. r 5Q y v Z I 6 8 a Q I 51 10 5 g y i @42 I. 11 1 a I 7 i 110 141 \IJQ If 20 1 19 J I Zt5q 18 i I I 22 i n 1 25 WITNESSES INVENTOR.

m 672 m flaniell Aiken J2 BY Dec. 4, 1934.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 D, AIKEN PROCESS AND TOOL FOR ERADICATING TERMITESFiled Nov. 16, 1935 WITNESSES IN VEN TOR.

Daniel! Aiken ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 4, 1934 PROCESS AND TOOL FORERADICATING TERMITES Daniell Aiken, San Antonio, Tex., assignor ofonehalf to Agnes 0. Slogan, San Antonio, Tex.

Application November 16, 1933, Serial No. 698,375

18 Claims.

This invention relates to a tool and process for use in applyinginsecticides to wood articles or the. like, and the present applicationdiscloses other novel forms of tools of the general type illustrated anddescribed in my prior application Serial No.. 667,309, filed April 21,1933.

An object of the invention is to furnish a novel tool and process forimpregnating posts, timbers, etc. with tar, creosote, paradichloride,orthodichlorobenzine or any chemical termite eradicator.

Telephone and telegraph poles, house columns or any timber set in theground can be treated by my invention without removing the dirt fromaround them.

In many cases, timbersnot treated by a pressure process have becomeinfested, and the only method known or used prior to my originalinvention, involved painting or spraying which only achieves temporaryresults.

A further object of the invention is to provide special tools by meansof which an insecticide can be forced under pressure progressively intowood at various spaced points without liability of the insecticideflowing to points where it is unneeded. In other words, the tools whichI have invented deliver the insecticide directly into the wood at thepoints where insects are to be destroyed.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists ingeneral of an improved method and means for preserving timber and thelike. a

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of one form of the improved tool involving anouter threaded tube and an inner axially movable control tube.

-Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view partly in elevation of this form ofthe tool shown introduced into a wood article to be protected.

Fig. 2a is a perspective'view of a lock pin for use with the tool.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of the upper end portion of the innertube of this form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a similar view of an intermediate portion of the outer tube.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of the outer tube,taken .on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an elevation, partly in vertical section of the same type oftool shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, with the main exception that theouter tube has an unthreaded or smooth peripherey. In this view the toolis shown ned socket 6 for the purpose of attaching an inserted into apost or the like at an acute angle relatively to the length of the post.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view partly in elevation of the toolshown in Fig. 6.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are horizontal sectional views, taken respectively onthe lines 8-8, 99 and 10-10 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is'an elevation of an intermediate portion of the outer tube ofthis form of the invention.

Fig. 12 is an elevation partly in vertical section of another form ofthe tool involving only a single tube, and shown introduced into a woodpost to be protected.

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view of a detail taken on the line 13-13of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view of a detail taken on the line14-14 of Fig. 13.

Referring first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs.1 to 5 inclusive, 1 designates an inner tube which slides lengthwise inan outer tube 3 having external threads to be screwed into a bore hole14 previously made in a wood article 13 to be protected. For the purposeof preventing splitting of the wood during the insertion of the tool,clamps 15 of any suitable type may be used. The outer tube is providedat various points along its length with ports 11 to allow theinsecticide to be discharged-into the wood, and each of these ports hasa slot on the trailing side to prevent the port from being clogged whenthe outer tube is screwed into the wood.

The upper end of the inner tube has a threadsecticidal pump, and thelower end of the inner tube has a ball valve 25 normally seated by.means of a spring 24. However, when the inner tube is inserted all theway into the outer tube,

a stationary pin 14b at the lower end of the outer tube unseats the ballvalve, and then the insecticide can pass through the inner tube and aport 12a in the outer tube, into the portion of the bore 14 below thetool. The pin 14b is carried by a threaded plug 141:. which is screwedinto the lower end of the outer tube, so that the pin may be adjustedfor opening the ball valve in an adjustable manner.

For the purpose of preventing the inner tube from backing out of theouter tube while the insecticide is being forced through the port 12a, alock pin 17a is employed. This pin can be introduced through a hole 20in the outer tube and into a hole 16a in the inner tube when the latte in its fully inserted position.

' The inner tube preferably consists of two parts, an upper partprovided with circumferential spaced grooves 16 and a lower part 23 thatis screwed on to the reduced lower end of the upper part, and betweenthese parts, meansare provided for discharging the insecticide from thebore 12 of the innertube through any one of the ports 11 of the outertube. Such means prefer,- ably consists of a spool 22 surrounding thereduced lower end portion of the inner tube, and cooperating with thepart 23 and the main portion of the inner tube for holding cup washers21 in position- This construction prevents insecticide which dischargesfrom the bore 12 through a port 10 from travelling along the bore of theouter tube. Inother words, such means compels the insecticide to issuefrom a particular port 11 without discharging through the other ports11, and as the screw threads on the outer tube snugly engage the wood,the dis charged liquid is forced to concentrate on a particular spot inthe wood.

In order that the operator may determine that the port 10 is opposite aparticular port 11, a ball detent 17 cooperates with the grooves 16.This detent is arranged in the head of the outer tube and is forcedtoward the inner tube by a spring 18 which may be adjusted by a threadedplug 19 which is screwed into the head of the outer tube.

In the modification of the invention illus-' trated in Figs. 6 to 11inclusive, the screw prin ciple is entirely eliminated, but the plungerform of inner tube is retained. In this form of the invention, 16b is ahollow tube which is threaded at its upper end and screwed into the body1a of the plunger or inner tube for holding the upper gasket 15a inplace. This eliminates the necessity of employing the spool 22 shown inFig. 2.

The main purpose of this modification is to eliminate the necessity ofhaving to screw the tool into a hole 27 in the timber 26. In large work,where the holes will be six to eight feet long, friction increasesrapidly as the tool is screwed into the timber. To avoid this objection,I propose to use for the outer tube 3a a pipe made of lead or any othersuitable sub-. stance and to put grooves 24aat spaced pointscircumferentially around the same. In practice, these grooves are filledwith a suitable sealing compound, and the pipe is slipped into thepreviously prepared hole in the timber, so as to obtain as close a fitas possible. This causes the tool to seal itself, and the insecticidewill penetrate the timber by passing through the ports 11b in the outertube. These ports are positioned between adjacent grooves and theypermit the insecticide to be injected into the hole at various pointswhile the sealing compound in the grooves prevents the insecticide fromtravelling lengthwise of the outer surface of the tube 311..

Sealing or cementing compounds may be eliminated by using an outer tubeof lead or the like, for after the outer tube is inserted, it-may beexpanded to cause its outer surface to snugly engage the surface of thebore hole. Obviously, the advantage of using lead is that it spreads andautomatically seals bet-ween the pipe and the timber. A drive fit withseal or iron pipe can also be used. It will be noted, however, I have aplug 210. with a projection 22a which is placed in the bottom of thelead pipe, andthe lower end of thepipe is .closed .in around the plug toform a tapered end, so that the outer tube will slip in easily. The plughas an aperture 23a corresponding to the aperture 12a in Fig. 2 topermit the insecticide to escape into the bottom of the hole 27, whenthe plunger is forced downwardly a sufficientdistance to allow the pinto halt the downward movement of the valve 19a so that, the insecticidemay flow through the bore 12b of the inner tube, the bore 130. of thetube 16b, and the port 18a to the bore 23a.

In this modification, the tube 16b joins the upper portion 1a of theplunger and the lower portion 17?: which forms a cage for the valve. Aspring 20a. in the cage functions to yieldingly hold the valve in closedposition.

Cup washers 15a are secured in position by means of shoulders on thetube 16b, and this tube has a port 140 to place the bore of the plungerin communication with any one of the ports 11b of the outer tube. A head2a has depending toothed segments 31 which are caused to grip the outersurface of the outer tube by means of a lock nut 1011 which acts tocontract the toothed segments.

The head carries a ball 4a which can interlock with-any one of thecircumferential grooves 417 of the inner tube, and the ball is pressedagainst the inner tube by means of a spring 511. which is adjusted bymeans of a threaded plug 6a that isscrewed into the head. A pin 9aoperates in a guideway 8a of the head and can engage a hole 7a in theplunger for'the purpose of holding the plunger in its lowermost positionwhile the insecticide is being dispensed through ports 18a and 23a. v

A suitable pump 28 for introducing the in secticide into the inner tubemay draw such fluid from the tank 30 through a pipe 29, and at thispoint it will be noted that this type of pump may also be used with thetool shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive.

After the timber is treated with a tool of the type shown in Figs. 6 to11 inclusive. the plunger la and head 2a can be removed, and the pipe 3aand plug 21a can be left remaining in the hole. 120 The pipe may be leftfull of insecticide, and the upper end of the pipe may then be corked orplugged. Afterwards, the bench 26a in the timber may be filled with asuitable cement or high temperature asphalt filling. Subsequently, thefilling and cork may be removed, and the head and plunger may be againattached, so that the timber can be treated at intervals in years tocome.

It will be noted that the'head 2a is eccentrically arranged withreference to the tubes, so as to eliminate as much cutting of the postas possible, and to provide a sufllcient housing for the parts 4a, 5aand 6a.

In the form of the invention illustrated in 135 Figs. 12 to 14,inclusive, a single tube 111 is used in place of the two tubes, and thissingle tube slides in a hollow screw 2d which is screwed into the upperend of the bore 27d that is made in the post 26d. Horizontal lines 24dand a vertical line 24c are placed on the outer surface of the tube toserve as an indicator to guide the operator in placing the insecticideatdesired points. A screw 4d may be placed in the member 211 for thepurpose of locking the tube in any desired position.

In this embodiment, the lower end of the tube is joined by a collar 32dto a foot member 3d having a passageway 13d leading to a port 14d in apiston 16d. This piston slides in a transverse bore in the foot member,and it has a frusto-conical' outer end portion provided with a port 11d.A ball valve 19d is arranged within the piston, and a spring 20dyieldingly holds the ball in position to close the port 14d. Othersprings 34d connect the piston to a threaded plug 33d, and these springsfunction to pull the piston inwardly to its innermost position. A lip342 at the outer end of the bore limits the outward movement of thepiston. A threaded member or head'l'ld, in which the port 14d isarranged, acts to clamp a cup washer 15d against the main portion of thepiston.

In this form of the invention, a pump 28d receives the insecticidethrough a pipe 29d from a tank 30d and forces the same into the tube 1d.A pressure gauge 3111 may be placed on the lower end of the pump toindicate pressure conditions within the tool. In this embodiment, Iemploy the control principle with a single tube. When pressure isapplied, the liquid will be forceddown through the bore 12d of the tubeand throughthe passageway 13d. This pressure will be exerted behind thehead 17d of the piston, so that the latter may be pushed outwardly untilits point or tapered end penetrates the wood, and at this time the ballvalve 19d will open to allow the liquid to flow through the port 11d. Assoon as the insecticide is applied to a particular spot of the bore 27d,the pressure is released, and this allows the springs 34d to pull thepiston inwardly. Then the tube 1d is shifted so as to bring the pistoninto position to treat another spot.

Where an unthreaded outer tube is employed (Figs. 6 to 11) and the outertube is driven into the hole, grooves similar to those at 11a in Figs. 4and 5 can be employed in connection with the ports in the outer tube,but of course, such grooves would extend toward the top of. the outertube instead of in a circumferential direction.

From the foregoing it is believed that the construction, operationandadvantages of the new tools will be apparent to those skilled in theart, and it is manifest that changes may be made in the detailsdisclosed, without departing secticidal fluid under pressure into thebore of the tube.

2. A tool of the character described, comprising an outer tube having aclosed end provided with an. aperture, a hollow plunger movably mountedin the outer tube, a valve for controlling communication between theinterior of the plunger and said passageway, and means functioning dueto movement of the plunger toward the closed end of the tube for openingpacking means on the plunger at opposite sides of said aperture torestrict the flow of the insecticide lengthwise-of the outer tube. 4. Atool of the character described, comprising an outen tube having spacedports in its wall, a hollow plunger slidably mounted in the tube andhaving an aperture to permit an insecticide to flow from the interior ofthe plunger to any one of the ports of the outer tube, and packing meanson the plunger at opposite sides of said aperture to restrict the flowof the insecticide lengthwise of the outer tube, said outer tube beingprovided externally with means to restrict the flow of the fluidlengthwise thereof.

5. A tool of the character described, comprising an outertube havingspaced ports in its wall, a hollow plunger slidably mounted in the tubeand having an aperture 'topermit an insecticide to flow from theinterior of the plunger to any one ofthe ports of the 'outer' tube, andpacking means on the plunger at opposite sides of said aperturetorestrlct the flow of the insecticide lengthwise of the outer tube, theouter tube having external screw threads. i

6. A tool of the character described, comprising an outer tube havingspaced ports in its wall, a hollow plunger slidably mounted in the tubeand having an aperture to. permit an insecticide to fiow from theinterior of the plunger to any one of the ports of the outer tube, andpacking means on the plunger at opposite sides of said aperture torestrict the flow of the insecticide lengthwise of the outer tube, theouter tube being provided with external recesses adapted to contain asealing medium.

7. A tool of the character described, comprising an outer tube havingspaced ports in its wall, a hollow plunger slidably mounted in the tubeand having an aperture to permit an insecticide to flow from theinterior of the plunger to any one of the ports of the outer tube,packing means on the plunger at opposite sides of said aperture torestrict the flow of the insecticide lengthwise ofthe outer tube, andlatching means for securing the plunger at various positions in theouter tube.

8. An insecticide applying tool comprising an outer tube having a closedend provided with a passageway and a pin, an inner tube slidably mountedin the outer tube and having a spring pressed valve adapted to be openedby said pin when the inner tube is inserted for a certain distance intothe outer tube for placing the interior of the inner tube incommunication with said passageway, and locking means for holding thetubes in fixed relation while'said pin is holding the valve' unseated.-

9. An insecticide applying tool comprising an outer tube, a head havingan aperture therethrough, resilient toothed segments depending from thehead and surrounding the upper portion of the tube, a lock nut forclamping the segments to the tube, and an inner tube slidable throughsaid aperture and in the outer tube.

10. An insecticide applying tool comprising an outer tube, a head havingan aperture therethrough, resilient toothed segments depending from thehead and surrounding the upper portion of the tube, a' lock nut forclamping the segments to the tube, and an inner tube slidable throughsaid aperture and in the outer tube, said aperture being eccentricallyarranged,

and means carried by the head for latching-the inner tube at variouspoints of adjustment.

11. An insecticide applying tool comprising a slidable tube providedwith a hollow piston slidably mounted at the foot thereof and movable ina plane perpendicularly to the axis of the tube, said piston having apressure operated valve, and the outer end of the piston being adaptedto bite into the wood of a bore in a wood article or the like when thepiston is projected.

12. An insecticide applying tool comprising a .slidable tube providedwith a hollow piston slidably mounted at the foot thereof and movable ina plane. perpendicularly to the axis of the tube, said piston having apressure operated valve, and the outer end of the piston'being adaptedto bite into the wood of a bore in a wood article or the like when thepiston is projected, said piston being formed of a plurality ofdetachably connected sections functioning to hold a packing gasket inposition.

14. An insecticide applying tool comprising a hollow member adapted tobeconnected to one end of a bore hole in an article to be protected, atube slidable in said member, a pump connected to the outer end of thetube, a foot member secured to the inner end of the tube, said footmember having a bore arranged perpendicularly to the axis of the tube, apassageway placing the interior of the tube' in communication with thebore, a hollow piston in the bore adapted to be projected outwardly whenpressure is exerted within the tube and passageway, the outefendof thepiston being provided with a circular edge adapted 'to bite into thewoodof the bore when the piston is projected, a valve in the piston fornormally closing communication therethrough, and a spring in the pistofor normally seating said valve.

, 15. A method of eradicating'boring insects in a wood article orthelike, comprising forming a borein said article, introducing a confinedbody of insecticidal. fluid into the bore of the article, dischargingportions of said fluid from said confined body at certain times into thewood successively from predetermined points along the sides of saidconfined body of fluid, moving said confined body lengthwise into thebore of the wood, and discharging another portion of said fluid from anend of said confined body at another time, while preventing the fluidfrom moving lengthwise in the bore surrounding said confined body offluid.

16. A method of eradicating boring insects in a wood article or thelike, comprising forming a bore in said article, introducing a confinedbody of insecticidal fluid into. the bore of the article, dischargingportions of said fluid from said confined body into the woodsuccessively from predetermined points along -the sides of said confinedbody of fluid, moving said confined body lengthwise into the bore of thewood, and discharging another portion of said fluid from an end of saidconfined body.

- 17. An insecticide applying tool comprising an outer tube providedwith a head, said tube having spaced ports in its wall, an inner tubeslidably mounted in the outer tube and provided with spacedcircumferential grooves, said inner tube having a port to permit aninsecticide to flow from the interior of said tube to any one of the.ports in the outer tube, and means carried by the head and cooperatingwith said grooves for holding the port of the inner tube in registerwith any one of the ports of the outer tube.

18. An insecticide applying tool comprising an outer tube adapted toengage the bore of a wood article or the like, an inner tube slidablymounted in the outer tube and adapted to contain a body of fluid, saidouter tube having a tapered extremity, and an apertured plug engagingthe inner walls'of said tapered extremity for placing said inner tube incommunication with the bore of the wood article.

' DANIEL-L AIKEN.

